Criterions of selecting any artiste for any categories
*Note- The artiste can dance two items but not to exceed 25 minutes.
Style vs. Dance – In the past, the International Odissi Festivals have scheduled choreography based on the styles or heritage of a renowned guru. Basically, the students and followers have adapted a particular techniques to express a particular repertoire. It has become an issue for an organizer like IPAP to see that we respect all the styles by keeping numbers of opportunities at the same level. It was also noticed that on an international stages Odissi is perceived as an Indian Classical Dance not as an Indian Classical Odissi of any particular style.
In order to be more competitive and united as a group – we must not bring division among ourselves by calling or pointing any particular dance style incorrect, defective, better or worse. Overall, the dance is called Odissi irrespective of its style !
Therefore, the 4 th International Dance Festival will judge the artiste's caliber based on the overall presentation not on particular any techniques or followings.
Quality is the ONLY criteria - This time all the applicants will be evaluated based on the recent video presentations irrespective of their background except the " Senior (Female)", " Established", Senior(Male) categories. These three categories have proven records of their sustained dedications to the field of Odissi.
Dancers who have been recognized on a national and international standards will be invited automatically to the festival. For example artists recognized by both Government of India, or a reputable dance organizations may be considered. Senior Females, Established Females, Senior Males are the dancers who have been recommended and by organizations like Sangeet Natak Academy, India Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) or on their panel, their past foreign tours, performing in recent acclaimed dance festivals, participating in workshops, seminars etc.
Promising is the most challenging category of the festival where young dancers are trying to make a debut into a prospective established dancer category. They're the future of the Odissi dance and they have the potentials. A continuous performance track records, critic's comments, current video presentation, and strong recommendations by few gurus or esteemed dancers will be required to select a dancer into any categories..
Young Prodigy – A new category for very talented dancer under 5-15 will be included in this category. In past this category was not accepted due to their age, but in the 21 st century the talent counts more than the age. The selection of this group would be by the Board.
International Dance – Since Odissi is crossing over the five continents and seven oceans – there is a galaxy of international schools all over the world. In the past Odissi made North America as its second home. From its strong hold in Europe, Odissi has spread to Russia, China, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc. A One day event in the International Odissi Festival is not enough to accommodate all. Accordingly, the Board has decided to dedicate two full days for International Odissi Dancers by dividing them based on East Hemisphere and West Hemispere. Artistes will present solos and schools will present group repertoire.
Purusha Anga or Male dancers are another area where the male dancers have risen up to establish themselves in a distinct male form of choreography. Male are expressing the male postures and expressions. Purusha Anga has the categories of both Established and Promising.
Odissi Duets is also a very popular dance form mostly male and female dancers presenting a pure dance form of Odissi repertoire.
Physically challenged category will be presenting some of the true artistic perseverance and dedication towards the art form irrespective of limited physical cooperation.
Odissi Goups both in Traditional and Contemporary dances will be presented both by national and international groups in the evening.
Maharis Style : The festival will make a journey of Odissi. Without the Maharis the journey is not complete. Even though, there is no Maharis exist to perform, but there has been an effort by few Maharis School to preserve and demonstrate the typical art form.
Gotipuas: The real contribution of Gotipuas to the pure Odissi repertoire is immense. Therefore, the journey will continue from Maharis to Gotipuas and to Odissi.